Indian troops kill Pakistani soldier near Kashmir border

Indian troops shot dead a Pakistani soldier who had strayed onto their side of the de facto border in the disputed Kashmir region, officials from both countries said Friday.

"We detected some suspicious movement yesterday near the LoC (Line of Control) inside our territory and the challengers from our side fired and in the ensuing firefight he was killed," Lieutenant Colonel Rajesh Kalia, a spokesman for the Indian army's northern command, told AFP.

An AK47 rifle was found alongside the body of the soldier, the spokesman added.

A Pakistani security official said contact was being made with the Indian authorities for the return of the body of the soldier, identified only as Ikhlaq.

The soldier had been killed on Thursday night after he "inadvertently crossed the Line of Control in Khoi Ratta sector", the Pakistani official told AFP on condition of anonymity.